Straight connection piece for hollow profiles which are used as spacers for insulation glass panes

ABSTRACT

A straight connection piece or connector ( 1 ) is used to form a spacer frame or spacer for insulated glass panes. The cross-section of the straight connection pieces ( 1 ) fits into the inner hollow section of the hollow profile ( 2 ) and the shape and contour of the connection piece corresponds to the hollow profile, at least in parts, in order to partially support and reinforce the hollow profile ( 2 ) from the inside in the area of the point of insertion. A recess ( 4 ) is provided on the back of the connection piece ( 1 ) that faces towards the outer transverse crosspiece ( 3 ) of the hollow profile ( 2 ) in the in-use position, in its central area. The recess extends over both sides of the point of insertion in the hollow profiles ( 2 ). The ends of the outer transverse crosspiece ( 3 ) of the hollow profile ( 2 ) that face each other can be deformed into the recess.

[0001] The invention pertains to a straight connection piece that ispartially inserted, approximately half-way, into hollow profiles thatare connected together end-to-end, said hollow profiles being used toform a spacer frame or spacer for insulated glass panes, wherein thecross section of the straight connector fits into the inner hollowsection of the hollow profile and approximately corresponds to it atleast in areas, with a centered recess on the back of the connector thatfaces the outer crosspiece of the hollow profile in the installedposition, with the ends of the outer crosspiece of the hollow profilesthat face each being deformable inwardly into the recess.

[0002] A straight connector of this type is known from EP 0 133 655 B2and from EP 0 330 906 B1 and has been shown to be particularly usefulwith regard to the mutual alignment of the hollow profiles or hollowprofile parts to be connected. The recess at the back of this prior artstraight connector has a minimal depth and is bordered at its lateralledges by a raised area. Furthermore, inside the recess is a projectingflat spacer so that the depth at this point of the recess is furtherreduced. This recess, then, only allows a minimal compression using theouter crosspiece of the hollow profiles to be connected. In order tonevertheless create a sealed abutment of the hollow profiles at thepoint of connection, the known straight connectors have projecting stopsthat hold the ends of the hollow profiles to be connected at a distance.This is intended to facilitate the penetration of sealant into theseams. This makes the formation of a sealed point of connection of thehollow profiles dependent on sufficient sealant being provided in thisarea and that it be fed through narrow gaps, which requires very carefulprocedures.

[0003] From DE 32 43 692 A1, a straight connector is known of this typethat is formed from individual pieces. In the direction of longitudinalextension, this straight connector has an uninterrupted piece without arecess at its side that faces an inner crosspiece of the hollow profilesin its installed position, said uninterrupted piece forming a U-shapedcross section together with side pieces. Therefore, the narrow sides ofthe U-sides of this straight connector face the outer crosspiece of thehollow profiles. Inside the U-cross section are crosspieces that are ata distance to one another at the center of the straight connector sothat each of the outer crosspieces of the hollow profile can be bentinward into the interior of the straight connector somewhat, providedthat this is permitted by the side pieces of the hollow profile in thisarea. This allows the outer crosspiece of the hollow profile to bepressed only minimally inward in this case as well, whereby a narrowopening arises between the outside ends of the crosspieces of thesehollow profiles through which to allow seal material. At the side facingthe inner cross section, this straight connector also has a spacer toproduce a peripheral seam at the point of abutment between the hollowprofiles to be connected. Thus, it is difficult to produce a good andsecure seal of the points of abutment of the hollow profiles to beconnected. Therefore, the danger arises in pushing in the hollowprofiles that the side pieces will bulge outward so that the dimensionalstability, which is absolutely required in order to maintain aseparation between two parallel panes of an insulating window, is notensured. The common inward pushing of the outside of the hollow profileagainst the resistance of the outside pieces can even somewhat push thehollow profiles to be connected away from one another, under certaincircumstances.

[0004] Thus, the object is to create a straight connector of the typementioned above that enables the precise deformation, at the point ofconnection, of the outside pieces of the hollow profiles to be connectedin such a manner that a solid connection results and that the ends ofthe hollow profiles are pulled together, whereby at the same time a goodseal can be attained. In this manner, it should be possible to push theoutside pieces of the hollow profiles inward at the point of abutmentwithout the danger that the side pieces bulge outward, thus compromisingtheir sealing surfaces. Overall, the ability to form a sealed abutmentof the hollow profiles to be connected should be improved.

[0005] This object is met in that the recess runs across the entirewidth at the back of the straight connector and is open toward theoutside crosspiece of the hollow profile in its installed position, thatthis recess is narrow and bordered by steep sides of pieces that lead upto it or by steep walls or perpendicular leading edges of an opening,and that the ends of the outside crosspieces facing one another of thehollow profile to be connected are bent inward-into the recess after thedeformation and are plastically lengthened or deep drawn.

[0006] A recess of this type that runs across the entire width and inparticular is open to the sides makes it possible to deform the outsidecrosspieces of the hollow profiles to be connected inward into therecess from the installed position and to bend them correspondinglynarrowly and angularly around the sharp borders of the recess and alsoto somewhat pull them inward into the recess in the process, i.e. toeffect a deep drawing of them, which can also pull together and solidlypress together the two ends of the hollow profiles to be connected.Since the recess is open toward the outsides, at least parts of the sidepieces can also be pulled inward into this recess so that they do notbulge, but contribute to the fastening of the two hollow profiles at thestraight connector. By bending around the sharp edges and through thedeep drawing process, this results in a shape-locked connection thatcould withstand considerably higher forces than normally occur in aspacer or the like for insulating glass panes during use.

[0007] The voids that form at the outer crosspieces of the hollowprofiles via deep drawing can be filled in either beforehand orafterward with sealant, whereby the extension across the entire width ofthe straight connector results in a correspondingly void-free fill withsealant, extending up to the side pieces and thus resulting in a goodseal.

[0008] A preferred embodiment of the straight connector according to theinvention provides that parallel side walls are located at its back thatextend up to the recess, which in particular is located in the center,that border cavities located on both sides of the recess at the back.This saves on weight and also allows the outer crosspieces of the hollowprofiles to be connected to be deformed adjacent to the actual point ofconnection so as to improve their mechanical fastening.

[0009] Furthermore, it is possible that the cavities continue on intothe recess and form a continuous channel at the back of the straightconnector that is closed in the installed position by the hollowprofile, and that the cavities and the recess have a greater depth thanthat which corresponds to the reach-in of the deformed crosspieces atthe ends of the hollow profiles. Of course, the bending around sharpedges and the deep drawing of the crosspieces occurs in this case onlyat the parallel side pieces that run in the longitudinal direction ofextension, but this is still sufficient to cause the effects alreadyexplained of pulling together the two hollow profiles to be connected.At the same time, a channel remains open inside the straight connectorthat can be filled with desiccant or that allows desiccant to passthrough the connection point as well during filling. This allows hollowprofiles to already be connected to the straight connector before thebending into a frame begins and before a last connection point is closedusing a straight connector. Thus, hollow profiles can be produced thatare practically infinite in length using the straight connector so as tothen bend them into spacer frames of various sizes.

[0010] The edge at the entrance to the recess of the straight connectorcan be approximately at a right angle or even an acute angle, and theborders of the recess that face one another can run parallel withrespect to one another and at approximately a right angle with respectto the longitudinal direction in which the straight connector extends.Thus, the side walls that extend up to the recess and constituting itacross a portion of the width, or walls that run across the entirewidth, or a recess made in the back of the straight connector, have asteep, approximately right-angled ledge at which the outer crosspiecesof the hollow profiles to be connected can be correspondingly bent andat a sharp angle and deep drawn despite a relatively narrow recess.

[0011] If the connection between the straight connector according to theinvention and the hollow profiles ends by the deep drawing of the outercrosspieces of the hollow profiles at the sharp edges of the recess,sealant can be applied from the outside to the slit-like opening thatresults just before insertion between the panes of an insulating window,thus preparing a good seal. A seal can be applied right after theattachment of the individual panes to the outside or the back of thehollow profiles, whereby the seal material penetrates into the slit-likeopening that results at the point of connection of the hollow profiles,providing a good seal.

[0012] The cross section of the straight connector can be made to fit ahollow profile with parallel side pieces and two crosspieces spaced at adistance from one another, wherein somewhat inclined or convex orconcave transition pieces are provided between the outer crosspiece andeach side piece in the installed position, wherein the depth of therecess corresponds approximately to the cross sectional depth of thehollow profiles that is traversed by the transition pieces or exceedsit—in particular minimally. This also allows the transition pieces to bedeformed and bent somewhat inward so that this deformation process atthe back of the straight connector does not result in reaction forces atthe side pieces of the hollow profile such that they deviate and bulgeoutward. The outer surfaces thereby remain parallel at these side piecesand maintain their dimensional stability, which is of great importancefor a sealed placement of panes of the insulating window at thesepieces.

[0013] Dependent on the width of the recess that extends in thelongitudinal direction of extension of the straight connector is thedimension that the parts of the outer crosspieces of the hollow profilecan have that are bent inward or deep drawn. So that they have asufficiently large dimension to facilitate a correspondingly good effectduring the deep drawing and at connection and sealing, it is favorableif the width of the recess in the longitudinal direction of extension ofthe straight connector is approximately twice as large as its depth. Ifnecessary, the width can also be more than twice the depth so that theparts of the outer crosspieces of the hollow profile that bend inwardalso find enough space. As already mentioned, deep drawing at the steepand ideally sharp-edged borders of the recess prevents the side piecesfrom buckling or bulging outward since the sinking of the material intothe recess along with its sufficient depth exerts a strong pull on thematerial and can even result in creep. The material of the hollowprofiles is thus pulled into the recess, this process continuing up tothe transition pieces as well so that an outward bulging to the sides isprevented.

[0014] To properly align the ends of the hollow profiles to be connectedthat are pressed together, it is favorable if at least one ramp isprovided in the direction of flow of the respective hollow profile justin front of the recess, said ramp ending at the entrance into the recessand then dropping at an acute angle into the recess. This results in across sectional enlargement of the straight connector near these ramps,by means of which the respective hollow profile is forced into a desiredposition relative to the straight connector and thus with respect to theother hollow profile. Since these ramps are placed just in front of therecess, they are thus located on the back of the straight connectorcontaining the recess and each of them cooperates with the crosspiecesof the hollow profile located on the outside in the installed position.

[0015] An embodiment of the straight connector according to theinvention for a further improvement of the mutual alignment of thehollow profiles provides that there are ramps on the bottom facing awayfrom the recess, said ramps extending up to a center groove, and thatthe bottom groove holds a cutting ridge present at the ends of thehollow profiles to be connected in the installed position. When thehollow profiles are cut into sections, there in general arises a cuttingridge that runs toward the center of the hollow profile, primarily atthe cross piece that faces the inside of the insulating glass pane inthe installed position. This fact can be utilized by means of themeasure mentioned to improve the shape-locking of the two hollowprofiles using the straight connector and at the same time toaccommodate this frequently disruptive ridge at the straight connectorin the process without compromising the seamless connection of the endsof the hollow profiles due to subsequent deformations. At the same time,these ramps located at the bottom or at the lower side of the straightconnector provide an additional alignment of the hollow profilesrelative to one another and provide good clamping action, which alsoresults in an automatic centering of the profiles. In other words, whena hollow profile is pushed onto the straight connector or, vice versa,when the straight connector piece is inserted into a hollow profile, theresistance offered by the ramps increases more and more so that when thehollow profiles are pushed onto both sides they find their way toapproximately the middle of the straight connector practicallyautomatically, where the cutting ridge can then come to rest.

[0016] The ramps at the top and/or the bottom of the straight connector,whose respective inclines are in opposite directions, can be laterallyoffset from one another with respect to the longitudinal centerline ofthe straight connector. Thus, the ramps are asymmetric with respect tothe centerline so that one ramp on one side can become a stop for thehollow profile pushed onto the other side, and vice versa. This can beprovided both on the outside or upper side as well as on the bottom orinside of the straight connector so that the centering of the hollowprofiles is further improved.

[0017] For straight connectors whose recess on the back is bordered onboth sides by continuous walls, it is ideal if these walls have at leastone notch or similar opening at their upper ledge that runs in thelongitudinal direction of extension of the straight connector, saidnotch forming a ventilation opening in conjunction with the hollowprofile placed on it. If the recess is filled subsequently with asealant or seal material, and if this material penetrates behind thedeep drawn parts of the outside crosspieces, air that is located therecan be displaced and kept from preventing the sealant from penetrating.In the same manner, sealant that is already located at the straightconnector prior to the deep drawing of the outer crosspieces can betterseep out and be displaced into joints, corners and narrow voids withoutbeing held back due to air pockets. At the same time, the air pocketsthat compromise the seal over time can be prevented altogether.

[0018] As already mentioned, it is possible that at least the recess isfilled with a sealant at least in areas and that the ledges of the outercrosspieces of the hollow profiles to be connected can be pressed intothis sealant as they are deep drawn. The deep drawing of the crosspiecescan therefore be utilized to compress a sealant provided ahead of timein the straight connector so that it creeps into voids and under thedeformed parts of the hollow profile, providing the best possiblefilling of the free cross sectional areas with sealant. The deep drawingprocess used to pull together the ends of the hollow profiles to beconnected and to solidly connect them using the straight connector canthus be utilized in this case at the same time to press sealant inwardinto gaps and voids and to effect the best possible distribution of thissealant.

[0019] An embodiment of the straight connector, in particular onecontaining a filling of plastically elastic sealant ahead of time in itsrecess, is comprised of the recess having a flat extension at the narrowsides of the straight connector into which sealant can move from thecenter recess to the area of the side pieces, at least when the hollowprofiles are compressed together. As already mentioned, the process ofcompressing and deep drawing of the outer crosspieces can be utilized todistribute sealant that had been applied ahead of time to the straightconnector. With the flat continuations mentioned at the narrow sides ofthe straight connector, sealant can thus be pressed deliberately intothis area of the side pieces so that these areas are also well sealed,wherein this sealing process accompanies the compression, deep drawingand connection, and does not require its own process step.

[0020] In yet another embodiment of this concept, at least one channelleading to the bottom side can be provided at the bottom of the recessand in particular a flat crevasse can be provided at the bottom intowhich the channel feeds. This permits the transport of plasticallyelastic sealant, which was placed ahead of time at the straightconnector in the recess, to the bottom of the straight connector facingaway from the recess and between this bottom and the inside crosspieceof the hollow profiles in the installed position as a result of thedeformation and deep draw process. This allows the sealant to bedistributed along the entire periphery of the straight connector at thepoint of abutment of the two hollow profiles, primarily when combiningthese measures, and allows for a good seal. Thereby, the sealant canalso penetrate into the smallest of seams between the straight connectorand the pieces of the hollow profile that are created by any deviationsof manufacturing tolerances.

[0021] However, it is also possible that at the floor of the straightconnector the crevasse extending across the entire width of the straightconnector is sufficient to ensure the distribution of the sealant in anycase.

[0022] It is preferred that at least one channel is provided at eachfoot of the walls that border the recess, said channel leading to abottom-side crevasse. This pushes the sealant, which is also placedunder pressure along the walls that border the recess when deep drawing,into corresponding channels and moves it to the bottomside crevasse.

[0023] The straight connector can be made of metal or die cast materialor of hard plastic, or can be made of a stamped and bent sheet metalpart. All of these materials and manufacturing methods make it possibleto provide on the back of this straight connector the recess accordingto the invention into which the outside crosspieces of the hollowprofiles that form a spacer or spacer frame for insulating glass panescan be deformed inward and deep drawn.

[0024] A straight connector made of sheet metal can have a U-shapedcross section that is made to fit into the inside cross section of thehollow profile and the U-crosspiece of the sheet metal part can containthe recess, which in particular is stamped out. This allows a verysimple straight connector to be bent from sheet metal in which therecess is provided through stamping or other forming process, which atthe same time can have the already mentioned sharp-edged ledge. Thisresults in a very simple straight connector in which the recess can runacross the entire width, that the width is smaller near the outsidecrosspiece than at the inside crosspiece, which is made possible by thetransition pieces with an inclined cross section.

[0025] The U-cross section is filled with a gasket between its sides,for example a foam gasket insert, on its side facing away from therecess, at least in an area that extends beyond the recess toward bothsides, and in particular a plastic-elastic sealant placed between theU-crosspiece with its recess and this gasket. This results in a goodseal when deep drawing at this point despite the cross section havingthe shape of an open U directed inward, while at the same timedisplacing the plastic elastic sealant as a result of the deep drawingprocess, said sealant being able to fill out any seams and voids locatedin the area of abutment, as already described.

[0026] An advantage that applies to practically all of the exemplaryembodiments can be seen in that a crevasse is formed by the deep drawingof the area of the outside crosspieces of the hollow profiles near thepoint of abutment to be connected, said crevasse being well filled withsealant or when an insulating glass pane is sealed with a seal material,and then providing in this area of the point of abutment for ancorrespondingly larger cross sectional thickness of the seal material.Thus, a thicker layer of seal material results at this point of abutmentas a result of the deep drawing of the outside crosspieces, which can beutilized to dimension the thickness of the peripheral seal material as awhole smaller since the generally required thickness of the seal layeris still attained in the area of abutment.

[0027] A process to connect the ends of two hollow profiles or toconnect a hollow profile that is bent into a spacer frame, by means of astraight connector that is inserted into the ends to be connected, inparticular approximately half way, whereupon the ends of the hollowprofile to be connected are deformed and compressed together at least attheir outside such that a shape lock occurs with the straight connector,can be provided to meet the objective of producing as seal-tight anddimensionally stable a connection as possible in that the crosspieces ofthe ends of the hollow profiles facing one another that form the outersides of the hollow profile are both deformed, and thereby deep drawn intheir deformation zone, at the same time into a recess that runs acrossthe entire width of the straight connector. This allows the connectionof the two hollow profiles to be made at their ends very simply in thata section of the straight connector is inserted into each hollowprofile, or the hollow profiles are pushed onto the straight connectorso that they both come to rest at the recess located in the center ofthe connector. Then, for example, the point of abutment can be deepdrawn in the manner described using a punch from the outside, which evenbetter pulls the two hollow profiles together due to the flow of thematerial and due to the tensile force exerted on the material, and whichprevents outward bulging in the side areas.

[0028] It is especially preferred if the ledges of the crosspieces thatface one another of the hollow profiles to be connected are bent aroundsharp edges at the ledge of the recess and are deep drawn in theprocess. This results in sharp-edged deformations at the crosspieces inthe end areas facing one another that favor the pulling together of thetwo hollow profiles.

[0029] The crosspieces to be deformed can each be bent around the wallsand deep drawn at their ledge, with the walls laterally bordering achannel that extends along the outside or the back of the straightconnector. In the process, sealant located inside such a channel thatforms a recess can be simultaneously compressed together and squeezedinto voids, and the air located in these voids can be simultaneouslydisplaced. The channel running along the outside of the straightconnector in its longitudinal direction can, however, also be designedsuch that it also extends across the area of the recess so that whenfilling with desiccant, the desiccant can pass through the straightconnector even after the deep drawing process.

[0030] In a different embodiment, the ledges of the outside crosspiecesof the hollow profiles to be connected facing one another can be bentaround the walls that border the recess of the straight connector onboth sides and that extend especially across the entire width of thestraight connector, or around leading edges of stamped recesses, and canbe deep drawn there.

[0031] It is especially suitable if the ends of the outside crosspiecesthat face one another are pressed into a plastic elastic sealant locatedin the recess during deep drawing, and if the sealant is therebydisplaced behind the bent areas of the crosspieces and/or between thestraight connector and the side pieces or between it and the innercrosspiece of the hollow profile that faces away from the area ofdeformation.

[0032] Therefore, the sealant can be provided either just beforehand atthe straight connector or it can be injected afterward after connectionand in particular after attaching the panes of an insulated glasswindow.

[0033] Regardless of whether sealant is provided in advance or not, asealing procedure can be done after connection in which the sealmaterial ideally penetrates through the opening formed at the outside atthe abutting crosspieces by means of deep drawing, thereby sealingremaining voids. At the same time, an enlarged thickness of the sealmaterial is attained in this area so that a smaller thickness of theseal material is allowed at the overall periphery of a spacer frame ofthis type, but still achieving a minimum thickness in the area of thejoint as required.

[0034] It should still be mentioned that the ends of thecrosspieces—when connecting using the straight connector—can be deepdrawn far enough that the distance resulting and/or remaining betweenthem is small and in particular smaller than the dimension of thedesiccant beads filled or to be filled. This provides on the one hand asufficient compression and connection of the hollow profiles using thestraight connector and on the other hand provides that sealant and/orseal material can penetrate into the hollow profiles and into thestraight connector, but that desiccant elements or beads present therecannot exit.

[0035] Below, exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained inmore detail with the help of the drawings. Shown schematically are:

[0036] FIGS. 1 to 24 are an exemplary embodiment of a straight connectoraccording to the invention in which a recess extends along the entirewidth approximately in the middle of the connector bounded on both sidesby steep walls, with various views and sections both by itself as wellas in its installed position on the one hand, and with and without theplastically elastic sealant that is inserted into the recess prior tothe installation of the connector,

[0037] FIGS. 25 to 33 are an embodiment of a straight connectoraccording to the invention in which pieces are added that lead up to thecenter recess and that leave open a straight gap or channel fordesiccant between them that also penetrates the recess,

[0038] FIGS. 34 to 43 illustrate a straight connector according to theinvention which is formed from sheet metal and whose cross sectionalcontour is sized to fit the inner contour of hollow profiles to beconnected and which has a U-shaped cross section, wherein the free ledgeof both sides of the U is located at the outside or the back andcontains the recess that runs in the perpendicular direction, whereinthe straight connector can allow desiccant to pass through or can beprovided with a plastically elastic sealant that is inserted into therecess prior to the installation of the connector, as well as

[0039] FIGS. 44 to 48 illustrate an embodiment of a straight connectorformed from sheet metal that has a U-shaped cross section, wherein thefree ledges of the sides of the U face the inside of a spacer frame andwherein the U-crosspiece is located at the back or at the outside andcontains the perpendicular recess and wherein a seal and in particularalso a plastically elastic sealant are located at the recess.

[0040] Individually:

[0041]FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section,

[0042]FIG. 2 is a top view, and

[0043]FIG. 3 is a view of the bottom of a straight connector accordingto the invention that fits into hollow profiles to be connected, with arecess located approximately in the center that extends across theentire width and that is bordered on both sides by steep walls and isopen in its installed position to the back or to the outside of a spacerframe for insulating glass panes, so that the outside crosspieces of thehollow profile to be connected can be deformed into the recess inwardand deep drawn,

[0044]FIG. 4 is a cross section of the straight connector accordingalong line A-B in FIG. 2 with a view of a wall that borders the recessand is provided on top with ventilation notches or openings,

[0045]FIG. 5 is an end view of the straight connector,

[0046]FIG. 6 is a cross section of the straight connector along line E-Fin FIG. 2,

[0047]FIG. 7 is another cross section of the straight connector alongline G-H in FIG. 21, i.e. inside of the recess, with a view of one ofthe walls that border the recess, said wall being inclined at its twoends—also recognizable in FIG. 4—in order to fit into the inside crosssection of the hollow profiles to be connected,

[0048]FIG. 8 is a different end view of a straight connector in whichthe ends are closed,

[0049]FIG. 9 is a top view of the points of abutment of two hollowprofiles to be connected containing a straight connector according toFIG. 2 inside them, wherein the outside crosspiece of each of thesehollow profiles is deformed inward and deep drawn in the area of therecess and thus at the point of contact of the two ends of the hollowprofiles in the installed position,

[0050]FIG. 10 is a cross section of the arrangement in FIG. 9 along lineC-D in FIG. 9, containing the cross section of the hollow profiles to beconnected and the sizing of the straight connector to fit the innercontour of the hollow profile, which has two continuation pieces thatextend beyond an inner crosspiece in addition to the void,

[0051]FIG. 11 is a cross section of the arrangement according to FIG. 9along line A-B in FIG. 9, i.e. a cross section near the point ofabutment of the two hollow profiles and of the recess of the straightconnector located there after deformation of the areas of the hollowprofiles to be connected that are adjacent to the point of abutment,

[0052]FIG. 12 is a longitudinal section of the hollow profiles to beconnected with the straight connector placed at the point of abutmentafter the profiles are pushed together,

[0053]FIG. 13 is a representation according to FIG. 12 with a toollocated above the point of abutment with which the outside pieces of thehollow profiles to be connected, which first are touching one another,are deformed inward into the recess of the straight connector,

[0054]FIG. 14 is a representation after deformation and compression ofthe hollow profiles as in FIG. 13 with a straight connector as shown inFIGS. 1 through 7, i.e. a longitudinal section of the arrangement shownin FIG. 9,

[0055]FIG. 15 is the detail identified with the circle in FIG. 14 in anenlarged scale with a view of ramps located at the top of the wallsbordering the recess and of a bottom notch for the latching of thecutting ridge of the hollow profiles to be connected, as well as with asection through the ventilation openings or notches,

[0056]FIG. 16 is a representation as in FIG. 15 after installing a sealthat is attached to the outside or to the back of the hollow profiles,i.e. of the spacer frame made up of them, said seal sealing from theoutside individual panes of an insulating window located on both sidesof the spacer frame,

[0057]FIG. 17 is a longitudinal section of a straight connectoraccording to FIGS. 1 through 16, wherein prior to installation aplastically elastic sealant is placed into the recess,

[0058]FIG. 18 is a longitudinal section of two hollow profiles to beconnected and of a straight connector located inside of them accordingto FIG. 17,

[0059]FIG. 19 is a representation of a straight connector as in FIG. 13with a preliminary filling of plastically elastic sealant and a toolthat deforms the outside crosspieces of the hollow profile to beconnected inward into the recess when in the installed position, anddeep draws them, thereby somewhat displacing the sealant located there,

[0060]FIG. 20 is a representation as in FIG. 19 after the deformation ofthe crosspieces of the hollow profiles at the recess of the straightconnector and after a subsequently added seal, wherein—as in FIG. 16—thepanes of the insulating window located at the narrow sides of the hollowprofiles or at the narrow sides of a spacer or spacer frame made up ofthem, are not visible,

[0061]FIG. 21 is a cross section of a straight connector according toFIG. 17 in enlarged representation with a sealant inserted into therecess prior to the installation,

[0062]FIG. 22 is a longitudinal section through the area of the recess,in an enlarged representation, of a straight connector according to FIG.18 filled with a sealant here prior to the assembly,

[0063]FIG. 23 is a longitudinal section of the straight connector in anenlarged scale and of the ends of two hollow profiles to be connectedassociated with it according to FIGS. 19 and 20, wherein the sealant isdisplaced in the longitudinal direction and through channels located atthe bottom of the recess as a result of the deforming and deep drawingof the outside crosspieces near the recess,

[0064]FIG. 24 is the detail identified with the circle in FIG. 20 in anenlarged scale, i.e. a longitudinal section through the connection oftwo hollow profiles with their ends facing one another and touching,said connection being facilitated by the straight connector according tothe invention, after the deformation and deep drawing of the crosspiecesof these hollow profiles that extend along the outside inward into therecess, by means of which sealant located there has been displaced, andafter a seal is installed on the entire insulating window, wherein theseal material has penetrated into the void formed by the deep drawing ofthe crosspieces and has produced a relatively large seal thickness thereanalogous to FIG. 16,

[0065]FIG. 25 is a longitudinal section,

[0066]FIG. 26 is a top view, and

[0067]FIG. 27 is an end view of a different straight connector in whichthe perpendicular recess is formed by an interruption of twolongitudinal pieces that run in the longitudinal direction and thatleave open a passage for desiccant between them,

[0068]FIG. 28 is a top view of the connection point of two hollowprofiles into each end of which a straight connector according to FIGS.25 through 27 is inserted halfway,

[0069]FIG. 29 is a cross section of the arrangement according to FIG. 28with desiccant filled into the area of the connector as well,

[0070]FIG. 30 is a longitudinal section of the two hollow profiles to beconnected and that are in contact end-to-end and of the straightconnector according to the invention that is inserted at this area as inFIGS. 25 through 29,

[0071]FIG. 31 is the arrangement according to FIG. 30 and the tool withwhich the crosspieces of the hollow profiles are deformed inward andpartially deep drawn by the tool at the recess or interruption in thelongitudinal piece of the straight connector,

[0072]FIG. 32 is the arrangement according to FIG. 31 after attaching aperipheral seal onto the outer crosspieces,

[0073]FIG. 33 is the detail identified with the circle in FIG. 32 in anenlarged representation with the sealing material penetrated between thedeep drawn crosspieces of the hollow profiles, wherein the openingformed between these deformed crosspieces of the hollow profile issmaller than the desiccant beads of the desiccant filling material,

[0074]FIG. 34 is a longitudinal section of a straight connector made ofsheet metal, wherein the section line runs through the U crosspiecefacing the inside of an insulating window in the installed position, andwherein at the free ledges of the sides of the U is the recess that islocated approximately in the center of the straight connector as astamped cutout or recess,

[0075]FIG. 35 is the arrangement of the straight connector according toFIG. 34 at the point of abutment of two hollow profiles to be connected,wherein at the same time a desiccant fill is indicated that can pass bythe straight connector as well,

[0076]FIG. 36 is a cross section of the arrangement according to FIG. 35and of the U-shaped straight connector according to FIG. 34, wherein itcan be seen that the sides of the U of this straight connector formedfrom sheet metal come together near their free ends, thus fitting intothe transition pieces of the hollow profiles,

[0077]FIG. 37 is a representation according to FIG. 35 after thedeformation of the outside crosspieces of the hollow profiles to beconnected that are located in the area of abutment

[0078]FIG. 38 is a representation corresponding to FIG. 37 afterinstalling a peripheral outside seal onto the insulating glass pane,

[0079]FIG. 39 is a longitudinal section of a straight connectorcorresponding to FIG. 34, which is formed from sheet metal and has anapproximately U-shaped cross section, wherein a plastically elasticsealant is provided at the recesses located at the sides of the U,

[0080]FIG. 40 is a representation as in FIG. 35, but wherein the sealantblocks the passage of desiccant inside the straight connector so thatdesiccant can be fed only from the side up to this point of connectionor the hollow profiles must be filled with desiccant already prior totheir assembly,

[0081]FIG. 41 is a cross section of the arrangement according to FIG.40, along line A-B in FIG. 40, from which can be seen not just thefitting of the U-shaped straight connector to match the inner contour ofthe hollow profiles to be connected, but also the filling of its crosssection with plastically elastic sealant can be seen,

[0082]FIG. 42 is a representation as in FIG. 40 after the deformationand deep drawing of the outside crosspieces of the hollow profiles,

[0083]FIG. 43 is a representation as in FIG. 42 after the seal is addedto the outside of the hollow profiles at their point of connection,

[0084]FIG. 44 is a longitudinal section of a different straightconnector that has a U-shaped cross section and is formed from sheetmetal, wherein its U crosspiece is located in its installed position atthe outside or the back and wherein it contains the perpendicularrecess, and wherein the sides of the U with their cross section aredirected to the inside of a spacer frame containing this straightconnector,

[0085]FIG. 45 is a longitudinal section of the point of connection oftwo hollow profiles along with the straight connector according to FIG.44 in this area, wherein desiccant is indicated on both sides of asealant placed in the recess,

[0086]FIG. 46 is a cross section of the point of connection according toFIG. 45 with a cross section of the straight connector made of sheetmetal according to FIG. 44,

[0087]FIG. 47 is a representation of the arrangement according to FIG.45 after the deformation and deep drawing of the outside crosspieces ofthe hollow profiles to be connected inward into the recess provided atthe back of the straight connector according to FIG. 44,

[0088]FIG. 48 is a representation as in FIG. 45 after the seal isapplied to the outside of the connected hollow profiles in the area ofthe deformed crosspieces, wherein the seal material has penetrated intothe recess formed by the deep drawing of the crosspieces of the hollowprofile.

[0089] In the following explanation of the various exemplary embodimentsof straight connectors and spacers or spacer frames manufactured usingthese straight connectors, parts with the same function are given thesame reference numbers in different embodiments of the invention. Anyfeatures and measures that are not described in connection with allexemplary embodiments illustrated do however apply to them unless theyare excluded as a result of the differences clarified in the above listof figures.

[0090] A straight connector, identified in the various embodiments inits entirety as 1 and constructed in these various embodiments accordingto the above list of Figures, is partially inserted, approximatelyhalf-way, into hollow profiles 2 that are connected together end-to-endaccording to FIGS. 9 through 20, 22 through 24, 28 through 33, 35through 38, 40 through 43 and 45 through 48, respectively. The hollowprofiles are used to build a spacer frame or to act as a spacer forinsulated glass panes that are not shown in more detail, saidarrangement being known from the prior art, for example in EP 0 133 655B2 or EP 0 330 906 B1.

[0091] According to numerous Figures showing cross sections, for exampleFIG. 10, FIG. 29, FIG. 36 and FIG. 41, the cross section of the variousstraight connectors 1 fits into the inner hollow cross section of therespective hollow profiles 2 and fills them to a large extent at leastin places, thus at least in places correspondingly. The straightconnector 1 has a recess 4 at the center of its back facing the outercrosspiece 3 of the hollow profile 2 in its installed position intowhich adjacent ends of the outer crosspiece 3 of the hollow profile 2can be deformed inward in a manner to be described in more detail lateraccording to FIGS. 9, 11, 13 through 16, 19, 20, 23, 24, 28, 31 through33, 37 and 38, 42 and 43 as well as 47 and 48. In the Figures mentioned,it can be seen that in this way, the hollow profile 2 and the straightconnector 1 can be fixed with respect to one another, and this fixturecan be strengthened through further deformations 5 (e.g. FIG. 19), ifnecessary. By thusly deforming the outer crosspieces 3 of the hollowprofiles 2 to be connected into the recess 4 of the straight connector1, the mutual connection of the ends of the hollow profiles 2 soughtalso results via this straight connector 1.

[0092] The detailed representation of the various straight connectors 1in the various figures shows that the recess 4 runs across the entirewidth of the back of the respective straight connector 1 and opens uptoward the outside crosspiece 3 in the installed position as well astoward the transition pieces 6 that connect to this crosspiece 3. Incontrast to a recess that runs across only a portion of the width at theback of a straight connector 1, for example according to EP 0 133 655 B2or DP 0 330 906 B1 or DE 32 43 692 A1, this recess 4, which penetratesacross the entire width and that is open upward—toward the respectivecrosspiece 3—and also is open to the side, allows the crosspieces 3 tobe deformed to an appropriate extent in the area where the hollowprofiles 2 to be connected abut, said deformation also including thetransition pieces 6.

[0093] The recess 4 is relatively narrow and has a variety ofdifferently shaped steep borders so that the ends of the outsidecrosspieces 3 of the hollow profiles 2 to be connected that face oneanother are bent around sharp edges and plastically lengthened or deepdrawn after they are deformed inward into the recess 4. In the figuresalready mentioned that show the deformed crosspieces 3, it can beclearly seen that they are bent by a clearly recognizable angle incomparison with the un-deformed shape of the crosspieces 3. On one handthis sharp-edged bend causes the deep draw effect in the process and onthe other hand-so does the tool that is used to bend the respectiveparts of the crosspieces 3 and to force or squeeze them into the recess.

[0094] The sharp-edged steep borders of the recess 4 already mentionedare constructed differently depending on the particular exemplaryembodiment.

[0095] In the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 1 through 24, therecess 4 is bordered by steep walls 8 that have relatively sharp edgesat the sides facing one another, with the walls extending across theentire width of the straight connector 1 and thus providing a stable andstiff arrangement near the recess 4. Also, the bending and deforming ofthe crosspieces 3 is done practically across its entire width and alsoincludes the transition pieces 6 since the walls 8 mentioned havematching inclines 8 a at their ends that fit the cross sectional profileof the hollow profile 2—as already mentioned—for example according toFIG. 7. Spacer frames that utilize a straight connector 1 of this typemust contain a desiccant, if it is to be filled with it, either alreadyprior to the assembly with the straight connector 1 or else they must befilled with desiccant from one or both sides up to the straightconnector 1.

[0096] In the straight connector 1 according to FIGS. 25 through 33, therecess 4 is bordered at the center of the straight connector 1 by steepsides 9 and pieces 10 that extend up to the recess and run in thelongitudinal direction in which the connector extends, i.e. two parallelpieces 10 are interrupted at the center of the straight connector 1 andthis interruption constitutes the recess 4, wherein the sharp-edgedbending and deforming of the outside crosspieces 3 of the hollowprofiles can be made at these pieces 10 at their point of interruption,as is shown in FIGS. 28 and 31, for example, and shown particularlyclearly in FIG. 33. In this case, it is now only the pieces 10 near therecess 4 that form the corresponding seat for a deforming tool 7, but asimilar deformation also results between the pieces 10 and to the sideof them by using a continuous tool 7, said deformation leading to thedesired deep draw process, mainly near the pieces 10. The effect ofthis—as in the exemplary embodiments already mentioned according toFIGS. 1 through 24—is that the two hollow profiles 2 are pulled togetherand their ends are pressed against one another solidly and fastenedshape-locked at the straight connector 1.

[0097] In the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 34 through 38,the recess 4 is also bordered by steep sides 9 of the pieces 10 thatlead up to it, wherein in this case the pieces 10 that run in thelongitudinal direction of extension of the straight connector 1 areformed from the sides of a straight connector 1 with a U-shaped crosssection, said piece being bent from sheet metal accordingly, forexample, and can be chamfered, as is mainly shown both in FIGS. 34 and36. The same applies for the embodiment according to FIGS. 39 through43.

[0098] Another way to form the recess 4 and to provide it withrelatively sharp edges and steep borders is accomplished in theexemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 44 through 48 in that the recess4 is bordered by perpendicular leading edges 11 of an opening 12, saidedges being located in this case in a crosspiece 13 of a U-shapedstraight connector 1 whose crosspiece 13 constitutes the back, as isclearly seen in FIGS. 44 through 48. The crosspiece 13 is connected tothe sides 15 of the U that face downward or inward in the case of aninstalled insulated glass pane, this connection being made likewise viatransitions 14 analogous to the transition pieces 6 of the hollowprofiles 2. This allows an opening 12 to be made in this U-crosspiece 13that runs across its entire cross sectional width, said opening alsoincorporating or penetrating the transitions 14 so as to be able in thiscase as well to bend and deep draw the outside crosspieces 3 of thehollow profiles 2 according to FIGS. 47 and 48 at the leading edges 11mentioned inward around the sharp edges.

[0099] In all of the exemplary embodiments, a tensile force can also beexerted at the same time on the hollow profiles 2 to be connected at therecess 4 of the straight connector 1, as a result of the deformation anddeep draw process mentioned, which pulls together and fixes the ends ofthe hollow profiles so that a sealed abutment of the two hollow profiles2 can be created in conjunction with a sealant to be applied in thisarea, said abutment also exhibiting a high rigidity.

[0100] The embodiments according to FIGS. 1 through 24 as well as 25through 33 are straight connectors 1 that can be ideally manufacturedfrom plastic or metal in an injection molding or die casting process.The other embodiments on the other hand, can ideally be bent from sheetmetal but could also be injected parts.

[0101] On the one hand, in order to attain a high stability at thestraight connector 1 in all of these cases so that it can best stabilizeand stiffen the point of connection, but at the same time to save onweight, parallel side walls 16 (FIG. 1 and associated following views)can be provided that extend up to the recess 4, in particular in thecenter, said side walls bordering cavities 17 located on both sides ofthe recess 4. If these cavities 17 are open toward the back, i.e. towardthe crosspieces 3 of the hollow profiles 2, as is the case for theembodiments according to FIG. 1 and associated following views and FIG.25 and associated views as well as FIG. 34 and associated followingviews, the crosspieces 3 can, if necessary, also continue to be deformedinward near this recess 4, which can result in a further strengtheningof the shape-fitted connection between the hollow profiles 2 and thestraight connector 1, especially in conjunction with end blocks 18according to FIG. 1 and associated following views, FIG. 13 and FIG. 14.If, as in the exemplary embodiments according to FIG. 25 and associatedfollowing views, end blocks 18 of this type are not present along withcontinuous walls 8 near the recess 4, the side walls 16 mentioned can beconstituted or replaced by the pieces 10 running in the longitudinaldirection.

[0102] In the embodiments according to FIG. 25 and associated followingviews, the cavities 17 also continue on into the recess 4 and form astraight channel, in particular at the back of the respective straightconnector 1, that is closed off in the installed position by the hollowprofile 2. However, this is also the case if, according to the exemplaryembodiment according to FIGS. 44 through 48, the respective cavity 17,which is located between the side walls 16 or the sides 15 of the U thatconstitute these side walls, is located on the side of the straightconnector 1 facing away from the back and open there. This closedchannel opens up thus a pathway and passage for desiccant beads 19, ascan be seen in FIGS. 31 through 33 and 35 through 38. This allows ahollow profile made up of a number of hollow profiles 2 using a straightconnector 1 of this type to be filled with desiccant beads 19 prior toor after it is bent into the shape of a spacer frame, said desiccantbeads then finding their way to all sections of such a hollow profiledespite the presence of the straight connectors 1.

[0103] In the side views and longitudinal sections, for example in FIG.1, FIG. 12 through 14 and especially easy to see in the enlargedrepresentations according to FIGS. 15 and 16, as well as in FIGS. 17through 20 and in the enlarged representations according to FIGS. 22through 24, but also in FIG. 25 and in FIGS. 30 through 33, and finallyalso in FIGS. 34 through 38 and also in FIGS. 39 through 43, it can beseen that the edge at the entrance to the recess 4 that forms theuppermost ledge on both sides of this recess 4 is approximately at rightangles in the first figures mentioned, especially well recognizable inFIGS. 15 and 16 and in FIGS. 22 and 23, and even describes an acuteangle, and that the borders of the recess 4 that face one another runparallel with respect to one another and at approximately a right anglewith respect to the longitudinal direction in which the straightconnector 1 extends. Inside the recess, its borders, i.e. the end faces9 or the walls 8 or also the leading edges 11, are approximatelyparallel, whereas the top sides that lead up to the respective recess 4are horizontal or at an inclined angle that in the direction toward therecess 4. A corresponding sharp bend can be made at the points ofabutment of the outer crosspieces 3, incorporating the deep drawingeffect mentioned.

[0104] Of most importance from the many different cross sections (seealso the list of figures) it can be seen that the cross section of thestraight connector is made to fit a hollow profile 2 having parallelside pieces 20 and two crosspieces at a distance from one another,namely the outer crosspiece 3 and an inner crosspiece 21, in which thesomewhat inclined or convex or concave transition pieces 6, which werealready mentioned, are provided between the outside crosspiece 3 and theside pieces 20 in the installed position. The depth of the recess 4corresponds approximately to the cross sectional depth of the hollowprofiles 2 that is traversed by the transition pieces 6 or exceeds itsomewhat. This also allows the transition pieces 6 as well to bedeformed and pulled somewhat inward and downward at the point ofabutment during the deep drawing process. It should also be mentionedthat the side pieces 20 can extend out beyond the inner crosspieces 21via continuation pieces 22 (FIGS. 10 through 24), in order to form acorrespondingly wide side surface for the panes of an insulation glassmaterial to be held at a distance and sealed.

[0105] The width of the recess 4, i.e. its dimension in the direction inwhich the straight connector 1 extends, is approximately twice as largeas its depth or somewhat larger so that the bent and deep drawn parts ofthe outer crosspiece 3 can find enough space and so that their ends endup sitting somewhat above the bottom 4 a of the recess 4.

[0106] It can be seen in numerous figures, and especially well in FIGS.15 and 16, that a ramp 23 is provided in the direction of flow of therespective hollow profile 2 just in front of the recess 4, said rampending at the entrance into the recess 4 and then dropping at an acuteangle into the recess 4. This allows any play between the straightconnector 1 and the hollow profile 2 to be removed.

[0107] It is further seen in numerous figures, and again especially wellin FIGS. 15 and 16, that the straight connector has ramps 25 at itsbottom side facing away from the recess 4 that run up to a center groove24, wherein the groove 24 on the bottom can hold a cutting ridge at theends of the hollow profiles 2 to be connected in the installed position,said cutting ridge even forming a latch in conjunction with this groove24.

[0108] In FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be seen that in both the ramps 23 at thetop and the ramps 25 on the bottom of the straight connector, whoserespective inclines are in opposite directions, the ramps are laterallyoffset from one another with respect to the longitudinal centerline ofthe straight connector 1. This contributes to the alignment of thehollow profiles 2 to be connected and to the fitting of them so thattheir cross sections match one another.

[0109] In FIGS. 2, 6, 7, and 8, as well as in other figures, it can beseen that the walls 8 that border the recess 4 on both sides have atleast one, and in the exemplary embodiment three, notches 26 or similaropenings or recesses at their upper edges that run in the direction inwhich the straight connector 1 extends, with the notches forming aventilation opening in conjunction with the respective hollow profile 2placed thereupon when the ends of the outside pieces 3 are deformed anda sealant is displaced or subsequently filled. In this way, thesenotches 26 can then prevent air pockets from remaining inside thesealant that over time can lead to seal losses.

[0110] In numerous exemplary embodiments, namely in the exemplaryembodiment according to FIGS. 17 through 24, in the exemplary embodimentaccording to FIGS. 39 through 43, as well as in the exemplary embodimentaccording to FIGS. 44 through 48, at least the recess 4 is filled, atleast in areas, with a sealant 27 before the straight connector and thehollow profiles 2 are pushed together. The facing ledges of the outercrosspieces 3 of the hollow profiles 2 to be connected can be pressedinward into this sealant 27 during the deep drawing step, which leads toa corresponding displacement of the sealant 27, as is illustratedespecially clearly in FIG. 23. In the process, it can be seen here howthe sealant then also penetrates through the notches 26 and partiallyexits into the cavities 17, so that the area of the deep drawn ends ofthe crosspiece 3 and its surrounding area is sealed off from the insidewith sealant. It can be seen above all in FIG. 21 that the recess 4 hasa flat extension 28 at the narrow sides of the straight connector 1,into which sealant 27 can be moved and displaced from the center recess4 out to the area of the side pieces 20 of the respective hollowprofiles 2 when compressing the hollow profiles 2.

[0111]FIGS. 22 and 23 show that at least one channel 29 is provided atthe bottom 4 a of the recess 4 that leads underneath, and at least oneflat depression 30 is provided at the bottom side into which the channel29 feed so that when the sealant 27 is displaced, it also makes its waythrough the channel or channels 29 into this depression 30 on the bottomside and there further improves the seal between the straight connector1 and the hollow profiles 2 from the inside, i.e. resulting in a secureseal mainly at the point of abutment of the hollow profiles 2. In theprocess, this depression 30 extends across the entire width of thestraight connector 1 and can, if necessary, extend up to the sealantthat is pressed into the flat lateral continuations 21.

[0112] As shown in FIGS. 1, 22, and 23, at least one channel 29 thatleads to a depression 30 on the bottom side is provided at each foot ofthe walls 8 that border the recess 4 so that the sealant makes its waymore or less symmetrically on both sides of the point of abutment of thehollow profiles 2 to the bottom side as well and thus to the inside ofthe inside crosspieces 21 of the hollow profiles 2 when they arecompressed together.

[0113] The various exemplary embodiments of the straight connector 1allow different manufacturing methods to be used, but in each caseresulting in a straight connector 1 at which the ends of the outercrosspieces 3 that face one another can be deformed inward and deepdrawn in an advantageous manner in order to then more strongly pulltogether and fasten the two hollow profiles 2 to be connected. Forexample, the straight connector 1 can be made of metal or die-cast or ofhard plastic where the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 1through 33 are concerned. However, it can also be made of a bent sheetmetal part as shown in FIGS. 34 through 48 and which will be explainedin more detail below.

[0114] According to FIGS. 34 through 38, and in particular according toFIG. 36, the straight connector 1 formed as a sheet metal part has anapproximately U-shaped cross section that is likewise matched to fit theinside cross section of the hollow profile 2, i.e. also taking intoaccount the transition pieces 6. In the process, the sides of the U inthis exemplary embodiment contain the recess 4 at their ends that isfitted to the transition pieces 6 so that this straight connector 1 canalso allow the flow of desiccant 19. Furthermore, the area of the recess4 according to FIGS. 39 through 43 can likewise be filled with sealant27 in this type of straight connector 1, wit thee sealant being somewhatdisplaced inward into the recess 4 (FIGS. 42 and 43) when deforming theends of the crosspieces 3 of the hollow profiles 2 that face one anotherand thereby improving the seal. In this case, desiccant must be filledin from either side or must already be present in advance in the hollowprofiles 2 into which this straight connector 1 is then inserted fromthe end.

[0115]FIGS. 44 through 48 shows an exemplary embodiment in which thestraight connector 1, which is formed as a sheet metal part, also has aU-shaped cross section that also is matched to fit the inner crosssection of the hollow profile 2 and also its transition pieces 6, asalready mentioned, wherein the crosspiece 13 of the U has the recessthat for example is stamped out of it. On the side facing away from therecess 4 and the crosspiece 13 of the U, the U-cross section is filledin with a gasket 31, for example a foam seal, between its U-sides 15 inan area that extends beyond the recess 4 to both sides in thelongitudinal direction of extension, and by a plastically elasticsealant 27 located between the U-crosspiece 13 and the gasket 31, saidplastically elastic sealant in turn being displaced inward into therecess 4 when the ends of the outside crosspieces 3 of the hollowprofiles 2 are deformed, improving the seal-tightness. From this, it canbe seen how desiccant can be filled in up to this sealed area of therecess 4 from both sides.

[0116] The process to connect the ends of two hollow profiles 2 usingone of the straight connectors 1 described above, which can be insertedor pushed into the ends of the hollow profiles to be connected,approximately half-way into each one, is done quite similarly in allcases. After pushing the hollow profiles 2 onto the straight connector 1or vice versa after inserting the straight connector 1 into the ends ofthe hollow profiles 2 to be connected, the outsides of these profilesare deformed and compressed together such that a shape lock arises withthe straight connector 1. This occurs in the exemplary embodimentsillustrated by crosspieces 3 of the hollow profiles to be connected thatconstitute the outer sides of the hollow profiles 2 being deformed attheir ends inward and pressed into a recess 4 that runs across theentire width of the straight connector 1, the crosspieces thereby beingsomewhat lengthened or deep drawn as well in their zone of deformation.This is thus not just a minimal amount of inward buckling, but is aconsiderable deformation that also deforms some of the transition areasor transition pieces 6 somewhat as well due to the recess that extendsacross the entire width, so that an outward bulging at the side surfacesis prevented. This provides a correspondingly good sealing of the glasspanes that are to be laid against the side pieces 21—with theircontinuation pieces 22.

[0117] The ledges or ends of the crosspieces 3 of the hollow profiles 2to be connected that face one another are bent around sharp edges at theledge of the recess 4 and thus deep drawn. The areas of the crosspieces3 to be deformed are each bent around the walls 8 or end faces 9 ofpieces 10 that lead up to the recesses 4, and deep drawn at their ledgeareas, i.e. they bend around those parts or areas that laterally bordera channel that runs at the outside of the straight connector 1 and formsthe recess 4.

[0118] It is especially favorable if the ledges of the outsidecrosspieces 3 of the hollow profiles 2 to be connected that face oneanother are bent and deep drawn around walls 8, or their leading edges,that border the recess 4 on both sides and that run across the entirewidth, as has already been explained with the corresponding figures andhas been illustrated in them.

[0119] In the process, the ends of the outside crosspieces 3 that faceone another can be pressed into a sealant 27 located in the recess 4during deep drawing and the sealant 27 can be thus displaced behind thebent areas of the crosspieces 3 and/or between the straight connector 1and the side pieces 20 or between it and the inner crosspiece 21 of thehollow profile 2 facing away from the deformation.

[0120] In the exemplary embodiments already described above in whichdesiccant beads 19 can also be filled in through the connection area,the beads are thus able to pass by the straight connector 1 designedaccordingly, for example according to FIGS. 25 through 27. The ends ofthe crosspieces 3 can be deep drawn far enough that the distanceresulting and/or remaining between them is small and in particularsmaller than the dimension of the desiccant beads 19 filled or to befilled, so that they cannot, as a result of deep drawing, exit at theopening resulting between the crosspieces of the hollow profiles to beconnected.

[0121] Many exemplary embodiments also show that a seal layer 32 can beapplied to the outside of the hollow profiles 2 after compressiontogether with the straight connector 1, either prior to or after theapplication of a sealant, said seal layer partially penetrating into theopening arising between the deep drawn parts of the crosspieces 3, thusproducing a correspondingly large layer thickness at this point, whichmust be sealed particularly well so that the thickness of this seallayer 32 can be kept to a minimum at the remaining areas. Thus, it isadvantageous for the seal that an inwardly directed recess results fromthe deep drawing of the ends of the crosspieces 3 of the hollow profiles2 to be connected that face one another, with the deep drawing beingdone at the outside of a spacer or spacer frame so manufactured, sinceat this point the seal material 32 then has a correspondingly largethickness through which air or moisture can no longer pass.

[0122] This seal layer 32 can penetrate either directly into therespective opening and also into the recess 4 of the straight connector1, as is illustrated in FIG. 16, or it can also cooperated with asealant 27 that is present there already, as is shown in FIG. 24 or FIG.48, for example.

[0123] Overall, a straight connector 1 results, that facilitates adeformation and compression of the ends of the outer crosspiece 3 of thehollow profiles 2 to be connected, thanks to the deep recess 4 thatextends across the entire width, with its associated sharp edges,wherein the transition pieces 6 can also be pulled along with into thisrecess 4 so that an outward bulging of the side pieces 20 can beprevented, said outward bulging being a reaction to the bending of thecrosspiece 3 inward. At the same time, the ends of the hollow profilesto be connected are drawn together as a result of the deep drawingprocess, i.e. they are pressed against one another and sealed airtightin conjunction with the displaced sealant or subsequently injectedsealant and/or seal material. A very simple straight connector 1 thuspermits a considerable improvement of the point of abutment of the twohollow profiles 2 to be connected.

[0124] The straight connector 1 is partially inserted, preferablyhalf-way into hollow profiles 2 that are open at their ends and are tobe connected together end-to-end there. The profiles are used to form aspacer frame or spacer for insulated glass panes. The cross section ofthe straight connector 1 fits into the inner hollow cross section of thehollow profile 2 and is designed and contoured according to this hollowcross section at least in areas in order to also support and stiffen thehollow profile 2 near the point of abutment from the inside. At its backthat faces the outer crosspiece 3 of the hollow profile 2 in theinstalled position, the straight connector 1 has in its center a recess4 that extends across both sides of the point of abutment of the hollowprofile 2, into which the ends of the outer crosspiece 3 of the hollowprofile 2 that face one another can be deformed inwardly. In theprocess, the recess 4 is bordered either along its entire length on bothsides by walls 8 across the entire width of the straight connector 1, oronly by the ends of longitudinal pieces or by ledges of an opening sothat the outside crosspieces 3 of the hollow profiles 2 can be deformedand deep drawn inward into this recess 4 at corresponding sharp-edgedborders, with transition pieces 6 present at the hollow profiles 2 alsobeing deformed inward into this recess 4 along with so as to preventbuckling or outward bulging at the side pieces 20 of the hollow profiles2.

1. A straight connector (1) that is partially inserted, approximatelyhalf-way, into hollow profiles (2) that are connected togetherend-to-end, said hollow profiles being used to form a spacer frame orspacer for insulated glass panes, the straight connector (1) comprisinga cross-section that fits into the inner hollow section of the hollowprofile (2) and approximately corresponds to it at least in areas, andincludes a centered recess (4) on a back of the connector that faces anoutside crosspiece (3) of the hollow profile (2) in the installedposition into which ends of the outer crosspiece (3) of the hollowprofile (2) that face each other can be deformed inwardly, wherein therecess (4) extends across an entire width at the back of the straightconnector (1) and is open toward the outside crosspiece (3) of thehollow profile in its installed position, the recess (4) is narrow andbordered by steep sides (9) of pieces (10) that lead up to the recess orby steep walls (8) or perpendicular leading edges (11) of an opening(12), and the ends of the outside crosspieces (3) facing one another ofthe hollow profiles (2) to be connected are bent inward into the recess(4) after deformation and are plastically lengthened or deep drawn. 2.The straight connector according to claim 1, wherein parallel side walls(16) are provided that extend up to the recess (4), which in particularis located in the center, that border cavities (17) located on bothsides of the recess (4).
 3. The straight connector according to claim 1or 2, wherein the cavities (17) continue on into the recess (4) and forma continuous channel at the back of the straight connector (1) that isclosed in the installed position by the hollow profile (2), and thecavities and the recess have a greater depth than corresponds to aninward extension of the deformed crosspieces (3) at the ends of thehollow profiles (2).
 4. The straight connector according to one ofclaims 1 through 3, wherein an edge at an entrance to the recess (4) isapproximately at a right angle or even an acute angle, and that bordersof the recess (4) that face one another run parallel with respect to oneanother and at approximately a right angle with respect to thelongitudinal direction in which the straight connector (1) extends. 5.The straight connector according to one of claims 1 through 4, whereinthe cross section fits the hollow profile (2), which includes parallelside pieces (20) and two crosspieces (3, 21) spaced at a distance fromone another, wherein transition pieces (6) that are somewhat inclined,convex or concave in cross section are provided between the outercrosspiece (3) and each side piece (20) in the installed position, andthe recess (4) has a depth that corresponds approximately to or exceedsa cross sectional depth of the hollow profiles (2) that is traversed bythe transition pieces (6).
 6. The straight connector according to one ofclaims 1 through 5, wherein a width of the recess (4) in a longitudinaldirection of extension of the straight connector (1) is approximatelytwice as large as a depth thereof.
 7. The straight connector accordingto one of claims 1 through 6, wherein at least one ramp (23) is providedin a direction of insertion into the respective hollow profile (2) justin front of the recess (4), said ramp ending at an entrance into therecess (4) and dropping at an acute angle into the recess (4).
 8. Thestraight connector according to one of claims 1 through 7, wherein ramps(25) are provided on the bottom facing away from the recess (4), saidramps extending up to a center groove (24), and the bottom center groove(24) holds a cutting ridge present at the ends of the hollow profiles(2) to be connected in the installed position.
 9. The straight connectoraccording to one of claims 1 through 8, wherein the ramps (23, 25) atthe top and/or the bottom, whose respective inclines are in oppositedirections, are laterally offset from one another with respect to alongitudinal centerline of the straight connector (1).
 10. The straightconnector according to one of claims 1 through 9, wherein the walls (9)that border the recess on both sides have at least one notch (26) orsimilar opening at an upper ledge thereof that extends in a longitudinaldirection of extension of the straight connector (1), said notch forminga ventilation opening in conjunction with the hollow profile (2) placedthereon.
 11. The straight connector according to one of claims 1 through10, wherein at least the recess (4) is filled with a sealant (27), atleast in areas, into which ledges of the outer crosspieces (3) of thehollow profiles (2) to be connected are pressed as they are deep drawn.12. The straight connector according to one of claims 1 through 11,wherein the recess (4) has a flat extension (28) at narrow sides of thestraight connector (1) into which sealant (27) can move from the centerrecess (4) to an area of the side pieces (20) at least when the hollowprofiles (2) are compressed together.
 13. The straight connectoraccording to one of claims 1 through 12, wherein at least one channel(29) leading to a bottom side is provided at the bottom (4 a) of therecess (4) which feeds into a flat crevasse (30).
 14. The straightconnector according to claim 13, wherein the crevasse (30) extendsacross an entire width of the straight connector (1).
 15. The straightconnector according to one of claims 1 through 14, wherein at least onechannel (29) is provided within the recess at each foot of the walls (8)that border the recess (4), said channel leading to a bottom-sidecrevasse (30).
 16. The straight connector according to one of claims 1through 15, wherein the straight connector is made of metal, die castmaterial, hard plastic, or a stamped and bent sheet metal part.
 17. Thestraight connector according to one of claims 1 through 16, wherein thestraight connector is made of sheet metal and has a U-shaped crosssection that is made to fit into an inside cross section of the hollowprofile (2) and a U-crosspiece (13) of the sheet metal part contains therecess (4), which is stamped out.
 18. The straight connector accordingto one of claims 1 through 17, wherein the U cross section is filledwith a gasket (31) between sides (15) thereof, for example a foam gasketinsert, on a side facing away from the recess (4), at least in an areathat extends beyond the recess (4) toward both sides, and in particulara plastic-elastic sealant (27) placed between the U-crosspiece (13) withthe recess (4) and the gasket (31).
 19. A process to connect ends of twohollow profiles (2) or to connect a hollow profile that is bent into aspacer frame, by means of a straight connector (1) that is inserted intothe ends to be connected, approximately half way, comprising deformingand compressing the ends of the hollow profile to be connected togetherat least at an outside thereof such that a shape lock occurs with thestraight connector (1), wherein crosspieces (3) of the ends of thehollow profiles facing one another that form outer sides of the hollowprofile (2) are both deformed and deep drawn in a deformation zone, atthe same time into a recess (4) that extends across an entire width ofthe straight connector (1).
 20. The process according to claim 19,wherein ledges of the crosspieces (3) that face one another of thehollow profiles (2) to be connected are bent around sharp edges atledges of the recess (4) and are deep drawn in the process.
 21. Theprocess according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the crosspieces (3) to bedeformed are bent around the walls (8) and deep drawn at a ledgethereof, said walls laterally bordering a channel that extends along anoutside of the straight connector (1).
 22. The process according to oneof claims 19 through 21, wherein the ledges of the outside crosspieces(3) of the hollow profiles (2) to be connected facing one another arebent around the walls (8) that border the recess (4) of the straightconnector on both sides and across an entire width of the straightconnector, or around leading edges, and are deep drawn there.
 23. Theprocess according to one of claims 19 through 22, wherein the ends ofthe outside crosspieces (3) that face one another are pressed into asealant (27) located in the recess (4) during deep drawing, and thesealant (27) is thereby displaced behind bent areas of the crosspieces(3) and/or between the straight connector (1) and side pieces (20) ofthe hollow profiles (2) or between the inner crosspiece (21) of thehollow profile (2) that faces away from the deformation.
 24. The processaccording to one of claims 19 through 23, wherein the ends of thecrosspieces (3) are deep drawn far enough that the distance resultingand/or remaining between them is small and in particular smaller than adimension of desiccant beads (19) to be filled in the hollow profiles.25. A process according to one of claims 19 through 24, wherein theoutside of the hollow profiles and a point of connection are sealed by aseal material (32), and a recess arising from the deep drawing of theoutside crosspieces (3) is also sealed by the seal material (32).